Connect with us

Featured Articles

BERNARD HOPKINS: “Yes, There Can Be Oversaturation”

Published

on

Bernard Hopkins is one of my very favorite fighters ever. He’s also one of my least favorite interview subjects. I find him needlessly combative and achingly discursive. Moreover, he has a way of talking down to you as if you’ve never watched a prizefight in your life, and that’s something I haven’t encountered in any other professional prizefighter I’ve ever interviewed. Still, Hopkins does offer some good insight here and there, and such was the case last week.

Hopkins, a partner at Golden Boy Promotions since 2005, said he believes the current boxing TV landscape is oversaturated. Take that with a grain of salt, of course. That’s a term I’ve heard so much recently that I almost believe it to be a talking point agreed to and distributed via power point presentation to everyone who is a direct competitor to Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions series.

Still, when Hopkins speaks, I listen.

“I think there can be too much junk—less action and fights that people don’t really care about. Yes, there can be oversaturation.”

Hopkins said the key to making interesting and compelling matchups was simple: the best fighters fighting the best. Yes, that’s a bit of promoter speak but coming from Hopkins, a man who heedlessly trudged into the deepest waters during his long and successful boxing career, the words seem to carry a significant amount of weight.

“I believe people will watch anything that they like and that there’s suspense about. You only get those things when you match the fighters the way they need to be matched.”

To Hopkins’ eyes, the bread and butter of Golden Boy Promotions is matching fighters exactly that way. He pointed to the upcoming bout between Canelo Alvarez and Miguel Cotto as evidence of it, and said his employer sincerely wants to make the very best fights in boxing.

“You can always tell when you put two guys together who are going to fight. Canelo-Cotto is a good fight. The way they fight and the way they are: This is going to go down, and that’s the kind of fight we all want to see.”

Still, Hopkins and Golden Boy Promotions, along with the rest of the old guard in boxing, have been forced off of most TV stations thanks to Haymon’s PBC series. Golden Boy Promotions currently has a lawsuit pending against Haymon, as does Bob Arum’s Top Rank promotional company.

Hopkins referred to PBC as “premier or whatever” and said he’d leave it to fans to decide whether it was a worthwhile venture. For his part, he would be focusing on making fights at Golden Boy.

“We really need to do less talking and just show more good fights, and the fans and the reporters both the biased and the non-biased ones, will be able to say to themselves ‘you know what I got to take my hat off to them; they’re doing a good job.’”

Hopkins was happy with the work Golden Boy had done so far in 2015, but said the work had just begun.

“But it’s only the honeymoon stages of doing what we’ve been saying we’re going to do for the last six or seven months. Now, we’re trying to get these fights to happen and we’re trying to get other promoters or advisors or whatever it is they call themselves [to do the same thing].”

Hopkins said Golden Boy was happy to work with anyone to make the best fights happen. He pointed to recent promotions with Top Rank and pending promotions with Roc Nation as evidence of Golden Boy’s willingness to make the best fights possible.

“If we can make the fight, we will make the fight. We’re putting pressure on those who want to cherry-pick and want to get all of the revenue [without fighting the best].”

Hopkins said the fighters of today, unlike those of the previous era, are more concerned about making money than securing their legacies. He said the previous era, led by himself, De La Hoya, Shane Mosley and Felix Trinidad, was better for the sport, and said part of his task at Golden Boy was leading young fighters to the right way for thinking.

“If you’re the guy in the division and you aren’t fighting the guy in your division that everyone wants to see you fight….is it legacy over money or is it money over legacy? Some I don’t think care about legacy.”

In Hopkins last fight, he was soundly defeated in a light heavyweight title unification fight by Sergey Kovalev. Hopkins, age 50, said younger fighters could learn much from his audacious attempt to usurp perhaps the scariest light heavyweight of the last 20 years.

“I have no regrets. It’s in my DNA, man. Sugar Shane, Oscar, Trinidad and I were the last of a dying breed. Things have changed.”

Hopkin said part of his role at Golden Boy was helping young fighters understand the importance of building a legacy. If you’ve ever had a chat with Hopkins, you know he’s the naturally pedantic sort who attempts to disperse his knowledge to anyone who will listen.

“You want to build your legacy. Money will come. The money will be there but then you will have the strength of both. If you aren’t wise with your money, the money will go and if you never had a legacy then nobody will even know you were ever there.”

He’s fit for his role. For all his subtle jabs and insults, Hopkins still doubles down on giving advice in every interview I’ve ever had with him. And fighters in the Golden Boy stable, for better or worse, have one of the greatest fighters ever in their corner, one who genuinely seems to have their best interests at heart.

“I love helping fighters. If they’re in the Golden Boy family, I’m there.”

WATCH RELATED VIDEOS ON BOXINGCHANNEL.TV

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles3 days ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles1 week ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Results-and-Recaps-from-NYC-where-Hamzah-Sheeraz-was-Spectacular
Featured Articles2 days ago

Results and Recaps from NYC where Hamzah Sheeraz was Spectacular

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Philadelphia-Welterweight-Gil-Turner-a-Phenom-Now-Rests-in-an-Unmarked-Grave
Featured Articles3 days ago

Philadelphia Welterweight Gil Turner, a Phenom, Now Rests in an Unmarked Grave

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Paro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

Results-and-Recaps-from-NYC-where-Hamzah-Sheeraz-was-Spectacular
Featured Articles2 days ago

Results and Recaps from NYC where Hamzah Sheeraz was Spectacular

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles3 days ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

Philadelphia-Welterweight-Gil-Turner-a-Phenom-Now-Rests-in-an-Unmarked-Grave
Featured Articles3 days ago

Philadelphia Welterweight Gil Turner, a Phenom, Now Rests in an Unmarked Grave

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles1 week ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending